Writers Strike Affects Heroes

[ZariusTwo]

TV Guide reports that with the writers strike confirmed to start on Monday, "Heroes" is going back and shooting an alternate ending to the Dec. 3 episode that, if used, would allow the episode to function as a season finale.

The magazine says that originally, the episode was only supposed to serve as the conclusion of the current "Generations" arc.


http://www.superherohype.com/news/topnews.php?id=6490

This is the first major strike since 1988, which saw the infamous second season of Star Trek: The Next Generation rehashing aborted scripts and using clip shows

[Cure]

Damn, that sucks. Well, sh*t happens. Hopefully they'll do good with what they'll have.

[ThirdMarioBro]

You guys are slow, and this thread is narrow minded.

The writer's strike looks to be huge. The last one in 1988 lasted five months, and the stakes then were not nearly as high. We wound up with shows getting canceled upon their return because the public had lost interest. Replacement shows such as Dateline and COPS filled time slots and never went away. Now I hear the major networks are talking to "reality" TV programmers who regularly do projects for VH1 (the bottom of the barrel) to create filler programming for scripted projects that will go on hiatus while the studios and writers stonewall each other for the next half year or more.

The late night shows are going black Monday and will probably stay that way for the duration of the strike. No more Daily Show, Colbert Report, Conan, Letterman, etc. That's all smoke until the picket lines clear. Daily soaps (which already hurt in ratings) will get replaced with morning news programming, and if the strike lasts long enough and ratings go up, it could be a permanent replacement.

During the last strike, television lost 10% of its audience. People got bored and left to do something else. To this day, television never regained that 10%, and that was 1988. This is 2007. Viewers have little patience anymore. If the strike goes on long enough, the industry could loose a massive chunk (30% or easily far worse) to new media (internet, youtube, video games, etc) and once again never regain that number. If gets bad enough, this could rush the convergence of internet and television. That would blow because nobody wants to watch crappy broadband video.


The stakes are high. Its disappointed me because I was enjoying this TV season for the fact that there were a ton of originals shows on the air and little to no new reality shows. Now the air waves are going to flood with it and likely we'll be stuck with it for two years or more now that studios will become gun shy to scripted programming. Half of the good series upon return could get the can due to a reduced audience and low ratings conjured from a lack of interest of the course of this strike.

I expect this to go on for months. The stakes are the profits from downloadable content, a medium in its infancy. Studios have already stonewalled the writers and writers are forming picket lines as we speak. Its going to be long, ugly, and disheartening. Enjoy your December season finales. Its the last you'll be seeing of your shows until next fall at best.

[Cure]

Uh...like I said, sh*t happens. If there's no good TV, I'll play GAMEZ. Nothin' else I could do.

[ZariusTwo]

You guys are slow, and this thread is narrow minded.

In what part of my initial post did I say ANYTHING that made your southern mind think "this guy is underestimating the strike?", I just put down the details and talked about the last major strike, of COURSE this strike will be bigger.

The only "narrow minded" thing in this thread was your flame-bait. Everything else you pointed out was fine, constructive, but you took a shot at us for no reason

[愛]

I agree with Zarius, that was a terrible flame-bait. He didn't say anything narrow-minded at all. Thanks for the little history lesson, but it didn't need to be in a condescending manner.

[Jo Dawn]

People got bored and left to do something else.

You mean, like... go OUTSIDE?

Hehe.

Eh, no skin off my back. I have about three to four shows I like, but if they go off, well... It's JUST tv. No big deal. People lived without it for centuries. Maybe people will start doing things aside from watching tv, as a family again.

[Jon]

I agree with Zarius, that was a terrible flame-bait. He didn't say anything narrow-minded at all. Thanks for the little history lesson, but it didn't need to be in a condescending manner.


Actually, it does seem a bit (of a narrow-minded way). Noting just one show out of the loads that the strike would affect.

At any rate, this strike is bad news plain-and-simple.

[Drtooth]

TV Guide reports that with the writers strike confirmed to start on Monday, "Heroes" is going back and shooting an alternate ending to the Dec. 3 episode that, if used, would allow the episode to function as a season finale.

The magazine says that originally, the episode was only supposed to serve as the conclusion of the current "Generations" arc.


Ooh boy! A crappy rushed ending that wouldn't be thought out because a bunch of greedy writers aren't getting their demands from a bunch of even greedier tv Producers. These writers are completely stupid. Reality TV has proven that producers don't need to pay writers to come up with a reasonable excuse to get paid to show Coke ads in the middle of something. Now we're going to get blanketed with horrible shows. Shows that Fox will copy and rush out to be first to air, so the narrow minded public will believe they came up with first.

Thanks alot greedy baka writer s***s. Thanks even more Satan worshipping bloodsucking f**** producers.

[raphael_is_cool]

Actually, it does seem a bit (of a narrow-minded way). Noting just one show out of the loads that the strike would affect.

Did you want Zarius to recite a whole news story to you? This is a messageboard not 'news central'. And, no, I'm not picking on anyone in particular. The quote just served my purpose.

'Narrow-minded' is the wrong word. 'Focused' or even 'relevant' may be more apt. Of course the strike is going to affect all sorts of productions. Surely we all knew that.

Either way, knowing what the Heroes producers are planning to do in response does sadden me. I guess they can try and pick up the stories at a later date, maybe in the same way season one took a short break after Peter 'saved the cheerleader'. Except this time perhaps a much longer break.

[Drtooth]

And then it will be cancelled and replaced by 15 cheaply produced shows that no one will watch. Way to go over their heads and get them even angrier.

[ZariusTwo]

Either way, knowing what the Heroes producers are planning to do in response does sadden me. I guess they can try and pick up the stories at a later date, maybe in the same way season one took a short break after Peter 'saved the cheerleader'. Except this time perhaps a much longer break.

Exactly, some people are more aware of the magnitude of what this means than others who dont see a lot of solid programming anyway presently, and like to rub people's faces in it, but some of us ARE aware, we simply dont think many of the shows affected are in as much danger as Heroes, which NEEDS the second half after sagging ratings and harsh criticisms.

Yes, there's Galactica, yes there's LOST, but according to the LOST writers, fourteen of the sixteen episodes required for the fourth season have been written and Galactica itself is well into production and will have enough for the first half of the final season, which NBC are going to split over two years anyway

[ThirdMarioBro]

I do apoligize for the appearant flame bait.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Exactly, some people are more aware of the magnitude of what this means than others who dont see a lot of solid programming anyway presently, and like to rub people's faces in it, but some of us ARE aware, we simply dont think many of the shows affected are in as much danger as Heroes, which NEEDS the second half after sagging ratings and harsh criticisms.

Yes, there's Galactica, yes there's LOST, but according to the LOST writers, fourteen of the sixteen episodes required for the fourth season have been written and Galactica itself is well into production and will have enough for the first half of the final season, which NBC are going to split over two years anyway

So I guess that plan to split the season will work out after all.

I'll be bummed if Heroes gets canceled due to the strike. That and Lost are the only two network TV shows I've given a crap about in as long as I can remember. Everything else is either sitcoms or yet another medical or cop or criminal investigation drama.

The people in charge should just suck it up and give the writers the money they probably deserve as much as the actors do.

Also, as a whole, I think people's criticism of Heroes has been way too harsh. Some parts of the show have been slow, but a lot of people's standards are set impossibly high.

[Drtooth]

The people in charge should just suck it up and give the writers the money they probably deserve as much as the actors do.

Well... the good ones anyway. Whoever wrote last nights Saturday Night Live deserves to eat generic Ramen for the rest of their miserable lives for that "publisher's Clearing House" skit alone.

Here's the entire script:

PCH woman: You just won money (giggles and squeaks loudly for 10 minutes)

END

Also, as a whole, I think people's criticism of Heroes has been way too harsh. Some parts of the show have been slow, but a lot of people's standards are set impossibly high.

The only reason I hate watching Heroes is that the show always ends just as something's going to happen, and you have to wait a week to get the entire story. I think it's ruthlessly brillaint. you have to watch EVERY EPISODE to get even the slightest subtile plot point. Now that's how to get viewers.

Unlike every single CSI clone that manages to find out the real killer 5 minutes before the show ends. That can only be endearing for so long. How they could milk that is beyond me.

But, I will say, we finally have decent programming and now the writers decide to strike. if they suggested this while "According to Jim" and "My Wife and Kids" was still in production, would anyone even care?

[Swany]

Unlike every single CSI clone that manages to find out the real killer 5 minutes before the show ends. That can only be endearing for so long. How they could milk that is beyond me.


I've actually tired with CSI for that reason. Its too unrealistic for my liking now. (Now a floppy fringed power sponge, thats realistic!)

You mean, like... go OUTSIDE?

Where is this "outside" of which you speak?

[Fledermaus]

The only reason I hate watching Heroes is that the show always ends just as something's going to happen, and you have to wait a week to get the entire story. I think it's ruthlessly brillaint. you have to watch EVERY EPISODE to get even the slightest subtile plot point. Now that's how to get viewers.

Someone's been watching their Azn serials... :lol:

[Jo Dawn]

Where is this "outside" of which you speak?

Somewhere... Far, far away there is a distant land that is surrounded by a great bright ball.

It is a brightness more intense than that of even your computer screen. Than your lightbulb, even.

But do not be afraid, for this great ball sleeps for hours a day, when a smaller, less bright ball comes out. The Great Ball of Light also fortifies your body with color and vitamin D.

But do not let the Great Bright Ball fortify you for too long or your skin grows hot and red.

In the presence of the Great Bright Ball, the air moves quickly around you and smells not of your house, but a pleasant blend of foreign smells. There is green foliage on the ground, soft to your feet, which you can romp upon.

I suggest experiencing the awesomeness of the Great Bright Ball more than once.

[BubblyShell22]

Well, I had a feeling the writers' strike would affect Heroes as well as some other shows that I enjoy. Oh well, I guess the best thing we can do is enjoy the new eps while we have them and just wait for this to end. I confess that it sucks though. I'm sure House will be affected too, which will also suck. Heroes and House are my two favorite shows that aren't even cartoons. As for reality shows, the only reality show that doesn't totally annoy me is The Amazing Race. I like that show because you can go around the world without leaving your home.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Well, I had a feeling the writers' strike would affect Heroes as well as some other shows that I enjoy. Oh well, I guess the best thing we can do is enjoy the new eps while we have them and just wait for this to end. I confess that it sucks though. I'm sure House will be affected too, which will also suck. Heroes and House are my two favorite shows that aren't even cartoons. As for reality shows, the only reality show that doesn't totally annoy me is The Amazing Race. I like that show because you can go around the world without leaving your home.

For me House is okay in moderation. I can't watch more than an episode at a time though, because his cynical jerk shtick to me gets old quick.

[Kendamu]

Meh. If it affects Adult Swim, History Channel, Food Network, or Discovery Heath at all (which I doubt it will for most of those) I'll just go back to watching Homestar Runner, AVGN, Marvel/DC, Ask a Ninja, etc.

[ThirdMarioBro]

Behold, the rise of new media.

If the strike goes over two months, TV is punked.

[Roseangelo]

Instead of rerunning crap from the last few months, why not open the vaults and rerun cool old stuff? Imagine NBC showing Johnny Carson instead of Jay Leno? Hell yeah!

[Fledermaus]

I'm thinking this could be the big push to get internet media rolling... Step one in replacing television, which we know it's gonna happen someday.

[ThirdMarioBro]

Instead of rerunning crap from the last few months, why not open the vaults and rerun cool old stuff? Imagine NBC showing Johnny Carson instead of Jay Leno? Hell yeah!

Why not just completely slit their wrists and let Youtube program NBC? Would it be neat for a day or two? Yeah, but it would also alienate them to anyone under the age of thirty.

[PAAATE]

No more Daily Show, Colbert Report, Conan, Letterman, etc.

*screaming, trying to kill myself with a rusty knife*

I need Conan The Cone-man.. (Wtf?.. I just woke up.. I'm not functional yet..)

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

I'm thinking this could be the big push to get internet media rolling... Step one in replacing television, which we know it's gonna happen someday.

Ugh. I don't know, it's just that when I think of Internet media, the first thing I think about is Youtube blogs, which makes Cavemen sound pretty good in comparison.

[Jo Dawn]

Am I totally missing it? I mean, I love TV and all... There are some shows I would absolutely HATE to miss (about two) and dont, from week to week... But it's not important enough for me to have a fit over.

But is this really that important? Why do we put so much importance on something like a television? Are people that intent on escaping reality?? Are we that bored a people?

I think we are just HIGHLY, very highly spoiled. And that saddens me.

Read a book. They're always better than TV and it excersizes the mind. Plus it takes you away from reality much more than TV and their insipid commercials ever will. For those who claim they 'cant concentrate' on books, then you haven't done it enough, heh. And if you really cant? Then go outside. Plenty of stuff to do there.

It's JUST tv, people.

[odupianist]

I like how Colbert tied in the strike with his run for the presidency.

"I want to say to my supporters, this is not over. While I may accept the decision of the Council [to drop him off the ballot in SC], the fight goes on! The dream endures! ... And I am going off the air until I can talk about this without weeping."

[ZariusTwo]

But is this really that important?

Yes.

Read a book.

To some people, dramas are a book. Dont be so goddamn snide and high-horse humping because you think none of us do the same f*cking thing.

People like this? They need a life more than they think we do.

[愛]

To some people, dramas are a book. Dont be so goddamn snide and high-horse humping because you think none of us do the same f*cking thing.

People like this? They need a life more than they think we do.

I'm just glad someone said it so I didn't have to.

I don't watch TV all the time. Well, I do, but I don't have active attention to it. I do, however, watch a few of my favorite shows. And it's what, an hour or maybe two out of an evening? The rest is spent on reading, games, school work...sometimes going out into the city. Not everyone is a mindless drone who lives for TV. It's just affecting shows that are viewed by a large audience, and this is going to be a big problem.

[Peanut]

I don't think I've even had my TV turned to my digital cable input in about 2 months, and previously I did it to watch a single episode of Code Monkeys. Prior to that, I had the cable in my room unhooked for at least 8 months. Most people say that they don't watch TV, but I find that's usually not true. I however, really don't watch TV at all. I'd rather play a game, read or go out on my spare time.

HOWEVER, I do still think this is a huge deal to a lot of people, and I think it's ridiculous for anyone to assume that people who love TV are somehow worse than them, or that you're a better person for reading books more than watching TV. That's just completely f*cking ridiculous.

[Kendamu]

Are we that bored a people?

Come live in Terre Haute, IN (a boring, money-sucking town) for a few months while paying $498 a month in bills while only making $536.00 a month at work.

Kind of hard to have a life when everything outside your home wants that $38 of yours and TV's free.

[Jo Dawn]

Hehe, I knew people would get talking on this.

Didn't mean it in a snide way, I was just asking, people. Calm down, hahaha.


To some people, dramas are a book. Dont be so goddamn snide and high-horse humping because you think none of us do the same f*cking thing.

People like this? They need a life more than they think we do.

How does that mean people like that need a life? And why is everyone so defensive? It was a general question, I never once said 'I think...' or 'I believe...' to any of it, I was just bringing another debatable point of view. But the hyper defense is kinda laughable. Apparently we can't debate like adults. Stop being so defensive.

Come live in Terre Haute, IN (a boring, money-sucking town) for a few months while paying $498 a month in bills while only making $536.00 a month at work.


My dear, I live in a village with no shops, restaurants, stop lights or library... much less any kind of entertainment value.


Again, calm down, people. I never said it was MY opinion. (Aside from the fact that we are a spoiled people. Which we are.) I was just bringing a new side that no one else thought of.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Are people that intent on escaping reality??


Yes. Possibly why WOW is as big as it is.

Anyway, the only real can't miss show I have at the moment is Heroes. BSG won't be for several more months. If I can't escape via TV, I guess I could go through some of my comics I haven't read all of yet.

[Spike Spiegel]

Who needs TV when you have Youtube and TMNT and Batman TAS DVDs?:P

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Who needs TV when you have Youtube and TMNT and Batman TAS DVDs?:P

Because it's a bummer when your favorite copyright law breaking post gets deleted.:( Still doesn't stop me though from watching them while they're there.:)

But Batman DVDs sound good right now.

[ZariusTwo]

Again, calm down, people. I never said it was MY opinion. (Aside from the fact that we are a spoiled people. Which we are.) I was just bringing a new side that no one else thought of.

No, you're not bringing a "new side", in fact, "I'm a country girl so y'all wasting your lives depending on television" card has been played several times in discussions regarding this and other subjects from caring too much about certain shows to salivating over individual character

You know what? YEAH, we are f*cking spoiled, we f*cking should be. People spend months, years, weeks to put food on the table in their jobs or to entertain people, as do those who work to develop the visual itteration of dramas, camer work, technican work, stunt work etc, that the finished result makes them feel proud and us proud of their accomplishments.

You dont get that from "reading a book", except maybe a tutorial book to accomplish such things.

[Jo Dawn]

I'm not a country girl. Nor have I ever claimed to be. Nor have I ever taken part in a discussion about this before. So I'm not real sure where you came up with that info.

And, um, yeah it is a new side to, as I said, THIS conversation. This conversation about this strike. And I never said anything about people wasting their lives.

I never said reading books made one better than anyone else.

I think it's ridiculous for anyone to assume that people who love TV are somehow worse than them, or that you're a better person for reading books more than watching TV. That's just completely f*cking ridiculous.

I agree. I never said that, nor did I allude to it. I simply gave an alternative to watching tv. No more, no less.

I find it hilarious that everyone is so defensive that they are MAKING UP things to be mad about!

This is ludicrous that no one here can have an adult debate without freaking out like a child.

Calm down. It's stupid to act this way.

[Aelia]

Dontcha know? Television is SERIOUS BIDNESS!

Truthfully, the only show I really care about is Heroes. That's about it. More than 90% of my television-related entertainment comes from DVDs and video games. I rarely ever watch television unless they are showing something good that I don't own on DVD.

[Mr._Mutant_Man]

Dontcha know? Television is SERIOUS BIDNESS!

Truthfully, the only show I really care about is Heroes. That's about it. More than 90% of my television-related entertainment comes from DVDs and video games. I rarely ever watch television unless they are showing something good that I don't own on DVD.

Yeah, Heroes is the only show I'll really miss. Battlestar is another favorite, but knowing it is coming to an end anyway, I'm a little more patient when it comes to waiting for the conclusion.

So if Heroes wasn't around, I probably wouldn't care about the strike too much. Most of my entertainment probably comes from comics and DVDs. But the thing of it is, after a couple of so so episodes Heroes is looking like it's really going to get good again. This strike might throw off the momentum they're building!

[Jo Dawn]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v92/Turtle_Mama/Hosted%20Avvies%20and%20Pics/tvbusiness.jpg

[ZariusTwo]

"You got to know when to hold 'em, know when to fold up..."

C'mon Hick-Billys, get on down!

[BubblyShell22]

I don't devote my life to TV. I'm an avid reader and often spend my time reading or writing when I'm not doing schoolwork. I only watch certain shows, but those shows take my mind off of certain things.